breast feeding omg

I don't know if it's breastfeeding in general, having a newborn or a cold coming on but bloody hell, I'm exhausted! My iron is really low, (taking supplements) blood pressure is high (on tablets) and still bleeding 2 weeks after csection (getting heavier). Any tips on how to increase energy levels and feel semi healthy?

I don't know if it's breastfeeding in general, having a newborn or a cold coming on but bloody hell, I'm exhausted! My iron is really low, (taking supplements) blood pressure is high (on tablets) and still bleeding 2 weeks after csection (getting heavier). Any tips on how to increase energy levels and feel semi healthy?

I take pregnancy and breast feeding tablets. I find they help a log but can take a few days to a week to start having an effect. If you eat well it helps too. I know it's hard to think about that now as you're so tired but it really does make a big difference. Try having a big proper breakfast eggs or yoghurt, muesli and fruit then when you are actually breast feeding make sure you have some healthy snacks on hand. I found that helped too. Get friends and family to help cook some hearty healthy foods to keep in the freezer for days you are too tired to cook. Don't feel bad about asking for help. Easier said than done. I know that know after 4 kids but I wish I had asked for help earlier. No one minds or thinks anything less of you for asking for a bit of support especially in the early months. It's hard work. I'd love to say it gets easier and it does in a sense but I think it is more that you just get used to it. Sleep when bub sleeps and eat well are my suggestion

I take pregnancy and breast feeding tablets. I find they help a log but can take a few days to a week to start having an effect. If you eat well it helps too. I know it's hard to think about that now as you're so tired but it really does make a big difference. Try having a big proper breakfast eggs or yoghurt, muesli and fruit then when you are actually breast feeding make sure you have some healthy snacks on hand. I found that helped too. Get friends and family to help cook some hearty healthy foods to keep in the freezer for days you are too tired to cook. Don't feel bad about asking for help. Easier said than done. I know that know after 4 kids but I wish I had asked for help earlier. No one minds or thinks anything less of you for asking for a bit of support especially in the early months. It's hard work. I'd love to say it gets easier and it does in a sense but I think it is more that you just get used to it. Sleep when bub sleeps and eat well are my suggestion

Denison I too had a Caesar, low iron and found bf completely exhausting. At 6 wks I started using formula top ups or using it now and then and I only wished I'd done it sooner!! It gave me a break and I ended up successfully bf'ing for 7mths. So if that's what you need to get through things do it!! Resting as much as possible, drinking plenty of water, snacking often on healthy snacks and gentle walks also helped me recover. Floradix liquid multi-vitamin and iron supplement was recommended to me by my ob and I found it really helped too(although tastes disgusting!!) it's available from the chemist. Rather than seeing using formula as a failure, see it as prolonging you breastfeeding. Just make sure you pump when your partner gives the formula, I used to give the formula bottle to my DH to feed DS when he got home from work. You'll then not decrease your supply and you'll start getting breastmilk supply in the freezer which is such a challenge in those first six weeks. Lucy x

Denison I too had a Caesar, low iron and found bf completely exhausting. At 6 wks I started using formula top ups or using it now and then and I only wished I'd done it sooner!! It gave me a break and I ended up successfully bf'ing for 7mths. So if that's what you need to get through things do it!! Resting as much as possible, drinking plenty of water, snacking often on healthy snacks and gentle walks also helped me recover. Floradix liquid multi-vitamin and iron supplement was recommended to me by my ob and I found it really helped too(although tastes disgusting!!) it's available from the chemist. Rather than seeing using formula as a failure, see it as prolonging you breastfeeding. Just make sure you pump when your partner gives the formula, I used to give the formula bottle to my DH to feed DS when he got home from work. You'll then not decrease your supply and you'll start getting breastmilk supply in the freezer which is such a challenge in those first six weeks. Lucy x

Thanks so much ladies, will go and get the liquid Iron and get going on that. Ive been eating and drinking well but just feel fed up with feeding! Will keep going... thanks Lucy your story is very positive, makes me think I can maybe get to six months x

Thanks so much ladies, will go and get the liquid Iron and get going on that. Ive been eating and drinking well but just feel fed up with feeding! Will keep going... thanks Lucy your story is very positive, makes me think I can maybe get to six months x

Eating porridge increase your milk supply I had to eat it the first few weeks at home after my c section to help out. It worked for me hope you have some luck finding something that works for you. I also expressed to try increase the supply.

Eating porridge increase your milk supply I had to eat it the first few weeks at home after my c section to help out. It worked for me hope you have some luck finding something that works for you. I also expressed to try increase the supply.

I agree with cab_pi (she was there giving me the support I needed when I was going through my darkest hours because of bf). Don't do formula yet. Persist with it and then if you have to, do it, but bf pays off and is so worth it. GL.

I agree with cab_pi (she was there giving me the support I needed when I was going through my darkest hours because of bf). Don't do formula yet. Persist with it and then if you have to, do it, but bf pays off and is so worth it. GL.

I too had low iron and always wanted to EBF until 6 months and I was in the same boat as you. So I set myself mini goals. First was 6 weeks and I thought If I got to 12 I'd be happy. I'm now
16 weeks still going strong. I too wanted to do one bottle so DH could feed whilst I got some extra sleep but that early on you need to pump anyway to keep milk established so I thought if I have to go to all that trouble I might as well bf. week 5 was when I felt like I was getting my head out of the water. GL.

I too had low iron and always wanted to EBF until 6 months and I was in the same boat as you. So I set myself mini goals. First was 6 weeks and I thought If I got to 12 I'd be happy. I'm now
16 weeks still going strong. I too wanted to do one bottle so DH could feed whilst I got some extra sleep but that early on you need to pump anyway to keep milk established so I thought if I have to go to all that trouble I might as well bf. week 5 was when I felt like I was getting my head out of the water. GL.

I agree with pp it will get easier. I had low iron and csection too. Be careful introducing a bottle too soon as when they are really little they can get nipple confusion and go off the breast. You could call the ABA (aust breastfeeding assoc) for some guidance they have a helpline which is quite good. I know how exhausting it is especially with a csar and low iron. in the first 3 wks all I could do was feed bubs and hubby did everything else pretty much. Hang in there it gets easier just try and sleep when LO does and think of the weight loss you'll get from bf it's amazing for that lol. X

I agree with pp it will get easier. I had low iron and csection too. Be careful introducing a bottle too soon as when they are really little they can get nipple confusion and go off the breast. You could call the ABA (aust breastfeeding assoc) for some guidance they have a helpline which is quite good. I know how exhausting it is especially with a csar and low iron. in the first 3 wks all I could do was feed bubs and hubby did everything else pretty much. Hang in there it gets easier just try and sleep when LO does and think of the weight loss you'll get from bf it's amazing for that lol. X

I fully agree with all pp and I am only just a few days ahead of you with my bub after cesar. Lots of water and at least a milo a day ;) my bub lost more than 12% body weight in hospital and became jaundice but now 2wk n 3 days after birth he is putting on 40-60g a day and jaundice almost gone. I just made sure never more than 4 hrs between feeds and expressed 40-60ml after each feed for top ups. My supply is fine and never used formula. Tho I almost did concider for his sake and my sleep. GL you will be fine

I fully agree with all pp and I am only just a few days ahead of you with my bub after cesar. Lots of water and at least a milo a day ;) my bub lost more than 12% body weight in hospital and became jaundice but now 2wk n 3 days after birth he is putting on 40-60g a day and jaundice almost gone. I just made sure never more than 4 hrs between feeds and expressed 40-60ml after each feed for top ups. My supply is fine and never used formula. Tho I almost did concider for his sake and my sleep. GL you will be fine

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